Some 1,200 city workers went on strike in Brampton on Thursday, with major disruptions to some key municipal services expected.
The workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 831, walked off the job in the early morning hours after contract negotiations with the city failed to reach a new deal.
The employees on strike include those responsible for public transit, parks and recreation, road maintenance, animal control, courthouse services, bylaw enforcement, and building inspections and permits.
Brampton Transit said it was experiencing “major delays in service” as a result of the labour dispute, and advised riders to make alternative travel plans.
Bargaining began on March 31, but there has been little progress, said Fabio Gazzola, CUPE Local 831 president.
“There didn’t seem to be a sense of urgency from the employer until yesterday,” he told CBC Toronto from a picket line Thursday.
Gazzola said the striking workers want a pay increase and a health and benefits package on par with management.
“Management obviously gets paid more, but why should their economic increases be significantly more? Their benefits, their health and wellness plan, is significantly better. Why is that? Their vacation is better. So we scratch our heads and say, do we not work for the same employer?” he said.
Costs of living up since last contract, union says
The terms of the contract that expired earlier this year were negotiated five years ago. The years since saw an increase in the rate of inflation and significant rises in the costs of living, Gazzola said.
“It’s getting to the point where workers in Brampton can’t even afford to live in Brampton. That’s the frustration. [Management] seem to always have money for them, but the last time I looked it’s the workers who do the jobs on a daily basis,” he said.
There have been several high-profile labour disputes across Canada over the past year, from LCBO workers to rail employees to Air Canada pilots. CBC’s Shannon Martin explains what’s driving it — and what the future of the labour movement could look like.
In a statement posted on social media, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the union was offered a “fair, multi-year deal” with terms identical to the agreement reached with CUPE members in Mississauga.
“CUPE will not hold our city hostage,” Brown said, adding he is “deeply disappointed” with public transit being impacted.
“Brampton residents deserve better, and we will pursue every possible avenue to restore services,” he said.
You can find the latest information on all the potential service disruptions here.
On its website, the city said it is committed to negotiating a fair agreement with CUPE Local 831 “while ensuring fiscal responsibility for Brampton’s residents and aligning with other CUPE agreements in the Greater Toronto Area.”